Iran warships set off on security, training mission: report

TEHRAN, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Two Iranian warships set sails for the Atlantic Ocean on their first Navy mission there, local Kayhan International daily reported on Wednesday.

The destroyer Sabalan and the logistic helicopter carrier Khark were dispatched on Tuesday on a three-month voyage, according to the report.

"The warships will have the task of securing shipping routes as well as training new personnel," Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was quoted as saying. The ships are carrying some 30 navy cadets for training along with the regular crews.

In the past few years, Iran regularly deployed warships to the Gulf of Aden off the eastern coast of Africa to fight piracy and protect commercial ships.

MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The international community should continue its efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said here Tuesday.

The solution would have to guarantee Iran's integral right to developing its peaceful nuclear program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and ensure security for all countries in the region, including Israel, Lavrov said during his annual press conference. Full story

TEHRAN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the world powers are likely to meet next month to continue the talks on the remaining issues pertaining to Tehran's nuclear program, Iran's nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying by Press TV on Tuesday.

It had been previously agreed that with the start of the implementation of the first step of the Geneva deal on Jan. 20, negotiations would begin shortly on the final step, Araqchi said, adding that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will discuss on the time, venue, level and manner of the negotiations. Full story